Columbia with SCMA Board member Dr. Ropp,
SCMA lobbyist, SCAFP lobbyist, and SCAPA lobbyist to discuss a joint statement
regarding SCAPA’s commitment to the
Physician lead team and advancement of the PA practice act.

September 7, 2012: Newsletter emailed to membership.

September 13, 2012: Upstate Area Dinner Meeting

September 19, 2012: Lowcountry Area Dinner Meeting

September 26, 2012: Pee Dee Area Dinner Meeting

September 26-29, 2012: SCAPA President and President Elect
in Washington DC for AAPA CORE Conference

April 30, 2013: Senate 3rd read of S 448 and then
the bill was sent over the House.

April 30, 2013: House 1st read of S 448.

May 1, 2013: Newsletter emailed to membership.

May 2, 2013: House 2nd read of S 448.

May 3, 2013: House 3rd read of S 448.

May 14, 2013: Pee Dee Area Dinner Meeting

May 21, 2013: Governor Nikki Haley signed Senate bill 448
into law!

May 22, 2013: Lowcountry Area Dinner Meeting

May 23, 2013: Legislative Breakfast - We Presented
Senator Leatherman with a plaque in appreciation for all his efforts helping PA
reimbursement for first assisting in the OR for Blue Cross Blue Shield
patients and was named Legislator of the Year.

June 18, 2013: SCAPA President spoke during the Introduction to PA
class to the new MUSC PA class of 2015 regarding
professional organizations, their importance, and why they should be involved
as a student and a PA. Discussed SCAPA,
AAPA, and NCCPA.

June 19, 2013: Lowcountry Area Dinner Meeting

June 21, 2013: Newsletter emailed to membership.

June 25, 2013: Midlands Area Dinner Meeting

Roberta Alsworth

Past President 2008-2009

I served as SCAPA president from 2008-2009. During my term, we
initiated the campaign for Physician Assistant reimbursement for
surgical first assist from Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. We
reevaluated the SCAPA CME conference location and visited several other
sites before making a decision to move the conference to its current
location at Wild Dunes Resort in the Isle of Palms. It was an honor to
serve as president but it was my great pleasure to meet and work with
such a dedicated team of PAs from all across South Carolina.

Ellie Rogers

Past President 2007-2008

I was Past President of SCAPA July 01, 2007-June 30,
2008. I joined SCAPA as a student in
2000, and when I became a certified P.A. in 2002, I was nominated for the
position of Secretary. I stayed there
for a couple of years, learning how the organization worked and developing a
role for myself. I was convinced to run
for Vice President, and in that role, one of my duties was to manage the SCAPA
annual election. That was the first year
we actually had two nominees for each position.
I became President Elect and decided that I wanted to get back to the
membership of SCAPA – what do the members want and what can we do to help them
in daily practice.

During my tenure, two great things happened. One was the Public Education Committee
offered three presentations of "What Is A PA” throughout the state, which was
very well received. I still get calls
from those presentations, and I know many practices who attended and now
employee a P.A.

The other accomplishment was the decision to move
forward with our pursuit of SC BC/BS payment for PA services in the OR. SCAPA had been reviewing the situation, but
it was during my Presidency that we really decided to start the real
battle. Sean Irvin led the way, and we
worked closely with AAPA and hired Pat Jackson as a consultant. SCAPA leadership involved the members in the
fight to support not only the cause but to develop a grass roots movement. The reigns were handed over to Victor Gomez,
who led us to the final victory.

I said two great things happened, but a lot of
inroads were made. We started a
relationship with SCMA, who now has PAs on some of its committees and supports our recent legislation for improved
practice law. Joe Wehner started working
on the SCAPA website – one of the smartest things I ever did was to recruit
him. SCAPA made the decision to move
its annual CME to Wild Dunes, which has been very well attended, and the change
was a good one despite much resistance. We renewed our contract with Ted Riley, who
has been instrumental in moving the practice law forward. We created the Finance Committee to develop a better checks and balances within the
organization.

What does SCAPA mean to me? Working with SCAPA made me a better
person. I learned to listen more and communicate
better. I learned how to bite my tongue
more, although those who know me realize that it cannot be completely
stopped! SCAPA
supports the PAs of SC and makes this
state a better place to practice in. The
battles ahead will not be simple, but nothing worthwhile ever is. However, together we can and do make a
difference – for patients, physicians,
fellow PAs and ourselves.

After my Presidency, I became less active in
SCAPA. I believe that good leaders
mentor new leaders. While input from the
old and wise (really means gray with lots of war stories) is valuable, we need
to move on and let the new generation take over. I am
very proud of SCAPA’s leadership – past and present – and commend you on your
dedication.

The Mission of the South Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants is to promote quality, cost effective, and accessible healthcare through the professional and clinical development of physician assistants in the state of South Carolina.